The staff of the Professional Development Office (PDO) assists students and alumni in exploring avenues to enhance career satisfaction by helping them assess their interests and skills so they can be more focused on their job search efforts.  Staff is available for individual career counseling, planning job strategies, reviewing or updating resumes and cover letters, or discussing job opportunities in a particular area.  The office continues to update its resources of books, periodicals, directories, newsletters, online resources, and information on a wide range of legal employers, law firms, government agencies, corporations, legal services, public interest organizations, academia, judicial clerkships, alternative legal careers, and study abroad and advanced degree programs.  The PDO provides students and alumni access to the Washburn Law Career Manager powered by Symplicity, where they can obtain access to information and resources, register for programs, review and apply for job postings, and participate in the formal recruiting programs at their convenience.

The PDO is located on the first floor of the law school directly across from the student commons area and operates with a director and one assistant.  Students are encouraged to use the resources of the office and its staff from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on week days.  From September through May, the office remains open during the lunch hour.  If on-campus interviews or other activities or appointments with employers, students, or alumni require the office to be open later, staff remains in the office.  The Director is often available to students and alumni after regular office hours and on weekends via the telephone and electronic mail.